Mobile body lift



Aug. 21, 1962 c. A. GETZ MOBILE BODY LIFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Clarence A. Get:

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MOBILE BODY LIFT Filed March 15, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Clarence A. Get:

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MOBILE BODY LIFT 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 15, 1960 O O o 0 Clarence A. Get:

1N VE N TOR BY Qwaaifiu 3,049,726 MOBILE BODY LIFT Clarence A. Getz, P.O. Box 82, Hot Springs, Mont. Filed Mar. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 15,077 Claims. (Cl. 5-86) This invention relates to a mobile body lift, and more particularly to a mobile body lift which is specifically adapted to assist in the movement of an immobile patient from one bed to the other while maintaining the patient in a prone position.

There are many instances in hospitals when it is desirable to be able to move a patient from one portion of the hospital to another while maintaining the patient in a prone position. In some cases, because of internal injuries, it is desired to maintain a patient in a prone position until he can be X-rayed to determine the extent of the internal injuries.

It is therefore the main object of this invention to provide a mobile lift which will be capable of supporting an immobile patient in a prone position while the patient is being transferred from one locality to the other.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to provide a mobile body lift which is adapted to lift the patient from his bed and place him on another bed or similar device for treatment while maintaining the patient in a prone position.

Still another object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding objects, is to provide a mobile body lift which will also be capable of lifting a patient from his bed, turning him over, and then placing the patient back down on his own bed or other support for treatment.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a mobile body lift which is capable of supporting a patient in an inclined prone position while he is being transported from one locality to another.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a mobile body lift adapted to lift a patient from his bed in a prone position, which body lift will be capable of being adjusted vertically in height to conform to the height of different hospital beds or treatment tables and the like.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a mobile body lift which is capable of partially supporting a convalescent patient as he walks to exercise his legs.

An ancillary object of this invention is to provide a mobile body lift which will be specifically adapted for transporting an immobile patient under traction while the patient is in the prone position.

And a final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a device which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of relative simple construction and easy to operate so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and operable by authorized persons on hospital staffs.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the mobile body lift shown supporting the conventional Bradford frame in a slightly rotated position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the mobile body lift positioned over a hospital bed with two supporting frames being secured to the body lift in position to turn an immobile patient while in a prone position;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a pick-up frame specifically adapted for use with the mobile body lift;

atent FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of one of the support means carried by the mobile body lift adapted for engagement with the end of a Bradford frame or with the end of the pick-up frame illustrated in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 4, parts thereof being broken away and shown in section to illustrate the details of construction;

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of a traction frame which is specifically adapted for securement to either end of the mobile body lift;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a reader scope mounted upon a support of the mobile body lift, parts of the mobile body lift being broken away; and

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of a wheeled supporting truck mounted on a longitudinally extending rail of the overhead portion of the body lift, parts of the body lift being broken away.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to FIGURE 1 in particular, the numeral 10 generally designates the mobile body lift comprising the present invention which includes two upstanding end sections generally designated bythe reference numerals 12 and 14 and a center bridging section generally referred to by the reference numeral 16. The center section 16 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending support rails 18 which are interconnected at their opposite ends by means of transverse braces 20. The center section 16 also includes a plurality of spaced depending guide legs 22 which are secured to and depend from the opposite ends of the center section 16. The guide legs 22 on each end of the center section 16 are transversely aligned.

Each of the end sections 12 and 14 includes a pair of transversely spaced and upstanding hollow support legs 24 which are properly braced by means of transverse braces 26 that are secured between corresponding upper and lower end portions of each pair of support legs 24 in any convenient manner.

The lower portions of the depending guide legs on each end of the center section 16 are slidably received within the upper end portion of the support legs 24 of corresponding end sections 12. An extensible motor 28 is secured between the upper transverse brace 26 of each of the end sections 12 and 14 and the transverse brace 20 secured to the corresponding end of the center section 16. Therefore, upon the operation of either of the extendible motors 28 the corresponding end of the center section 16 may be raised or lowered as desired.

Suitable diagonal braces 30 are secured between each of the guide legs 22 and the corresponding support rails 18. Further, the lower ends of each of the support legs 24 is provided with a caster assembly 32.

If it is desired, a plurality of support sleeves 34 may be secured to any one of the support rails 18 for sliding movement therealong for purposes to be hereinafter more fully set forth. Additionally, either of the transverse braces 20 may be provided with supporting hooks 36 whose purpose will be also hereinafter more fully set forth.

The center support rail 18 has a wheeled supporting truck assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 38 which is provided with three wheeled support members 40 mounted thereon. The wheeled truck supporting assembly 38 is adapted for longitudinal movement along the center support rail 18 and the three wheeled support members engage the upper and opposite side surfaces of the center support rail 18. The wheeled truck support assembly 38 is adapted to have various patient supporting attachments secured thereto which will enable partial support of the patient while he is moving longitudinally of the body lift 10 back and forth between 3 the end sections 12 and 14. The wheeled truck support assembly 38 includes a generally inverted U-shaped frame 42 that embraces the center support rail 18 and which has one of the wheeled support members 40 secured between the upper .ends of its depending legs 44 by means of a fastener 46 secured between the depending legs 44 and passed through the center of the uppermost wheeled support member 40. The other two wheeled support members 40 are suitably secured to the depending legs 44 below the uppermost support member 40 and are adapted to engage the side surfaces of the center support rail 18.

A depending support generally referred to by the reference numeral 48 is secured to each end of the center support rail 18. The upper portion of each of the depending supports 48 has a tubular horizontally disposed sleeve 50 secured thereto which is slidably disposed on the center support rail 18 enabling each of the depending supports 48 to be adjustably positioned longitudinally of the body lift 10 as desired.

A lock screw 52 is provided on each of the sleeves 50 and may be manipulated to frictionally engage the center support rail 18 to retain the sleeves 50 in adjusted positions longitudinally of the center support rail 18.

With attention directed more particularly to FIGURES 4 and of the drawings it will be noted that the lowermost end of each of the depending supports 48 is provided with a hub assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 54 through which a pivot bolt 56 is passed. The threaded shank portions 58 of the pivot bolts 56 project outwardly from the hub assembly 54 and a mounting plate assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 68 is journalled thereon. A threaded fastener 62 is secured on the threaded shank 58 to retain the mounting plate assembly 60 on the pivot bolt 56. The mounting plate assembly includes a mounting plate 64 having radially extending and diametrically aligned mounting bolts 66 secured thereto which are provided with suitable threads 68 on their outer ends which project beyond the edges of the mounting plate 64. -A pair of threaded fasteners 70 is threadedly engaged with each of the threaded end portions of the mounting bolts 66 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Each of the hub assemblies 54 includes a stop assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 72. Each of the stop assemblies 72 includes a housing 74 which is secured to the hub assembly 54 in any convenient manner such as by welding 76 and includes a retractable stop pin 78 having a shank 80 disposed substantially parallel to but spaced from the pivot bolt 56. The stop pin 78 projects through the housing 74 and is provided with a handle 82. The shank 80 projects beyond the face of the hub assembly 54 adjacent the mounting plate 64 and the plate 64 is provided with a plurality of suitable bores 84 which are registerable with and receive the outer end portions of the shank 80 which project beyond the housing 74. Spring means in the form of a compression spring 86 is disposed within the housing 74 for resiliently urging the shank 80 of the stop pin 78 into engagement with one of the bores 84. In this manner, selected rotated positions of the mounting plate assembly 60 may be maintained.

With particular attention directed to FIGURE 1 of the drawings there will be seen a carrying frame generally designated by the reference numeral 88, which is commonly known as a Bradford frame. The Bradford frame comprises a substantially rectangular framework 90 whose opposite ends are suitably apertured to receive therethrough the threaded portion of the mounting bolts 66. The opposite ends of the framework 90 are secured between the threaded fasteners 70 to secure the carrying frame 88 to the mounting plate assemblies 60. It is to be noted that the carrying frame 88 or Bradford frame is well-known and that it does not comprise a part of the invention being claimed herein. A flexible panel 92 is secured in the framework by means of a flexible element 94 and it is to be noted that the Bradford frame is adapted to support immobile patients in a prone position on the flexible panel 92 secured thereto.

With particular attention directed to FIGURE 3 of the drawings there will be noted a second carrying or pick-up frame generally designated by the reference numeral 96. The carrying frame 96 also includes a generally rectagnular framework designated by the reference numeral 98 whose opposite ends are provided with reinforcing elements 108 which are suitably apertured to receive therethrough the threaded portions of the mounting bolts 66 as illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. The sides 182 of the pick-up frame 96 are provided with a plurality of books 104 having threaded shank portions 106 passed through suitable aligned apertures (not shown) formed in the sides 102. Threaded fasteners 108 are threadcdly engaged with the threaded shank portions 106 to secure them through the sides 182 and for adjusting the distance between transversely aligned hooks 104. It is to be noted that only the hooks 104 secured through one of the sides 102 are provided with the fasteners 188. The hooks 104 secured to the other side 102 may be fixedly secured thereto if it is desired.

At least one longitudinally extending support rod is engaged with the hooks 104 disposed on each side 182 of the framework 98 and a plurality of transversely extending flexible panels each generally designated by the reference numeral 118 have their opposite end portions secured to the support reds 109 engaged 'with the hooks 184 on each side 102 of the framework 98. Each of the panels 111 has a hem 112 formed on its opposite ends to form an open-ended pocket 113 which extends longitudinally of the framework 98 and slidably receives the adjacent portions of the support rods 18-9.

Attention is now directed to FIGURE 6 of the drawings wherein there will be seen a framework generally designated by the reference numeral 114 which has a plurality of sheave assemblies 116 secured thereto. The framework 114 is provided with a plurality of apertures 118 about its peripheral edges which are adapted to receive any form of suitable fasteners (for securing the framework 114 to either or both of the end sections 12 and 14 of the body lift 10.

With attention directed now more particularly to FIG- URE 7 of the drawings there will be seen a reading attachment generally designated by the reference numeral 128 which comprises a generally U-shaped framework 122 having a clamp assembly 124 secured to its bight portion 126 which may be secured either on the depending supports 48 in clamping engagement therewith or to a convenient portion of a hospital bed. The bight portion 126 of the framework 122 is journalled for. rotation about its longitudinal axis in the clamp assembly 124 which enables the legs 128 of the frame 122 to be adjustably inclined. A reading table generally referred to by the reference numeral 138 is provided which includes a center panel 132 of translucent material which is preferably unbreakable and the table 130 is secured to the framework by means of a pair of legs 134 which have their inner ends pivo-tally secured to the table :as at 136 and their inner ends telescopingly received in the legs 128 of the frame 122. Setscrews 138 are provided for maintaining the legs 134 in adjusted telescoped relation relative to the legs 128.

With particular attention directed to FIGURE 2 of the drawings it will be noted that the end sections 12 and 14 of the mobile body lift 10 are spaced from each other a distance suflicient to span a conventional form of hospital bed generally referred to by the reference numeral 140 disposed longitudinally between the end sections 12 and 14. Further, it will be noted that since the depending supports 48 can be adjus-tably positioned longitudinally of the center support rail 18, they can be positioned a sufficient spaced distance from the end sections 12 and 14 to enable the footboard 142 and the headboard 144 of the bed 14% to pass between the depending supports 48 and the adjacent end sections 12 and 14.

In operation, if it is desired to move an immobile patient from the bed 14G, the Bradford frame may be secured between the depending supports 48 by means of the mounting plate assemblies 60 and the mobile body lift 19 may be placed alongside of the bed 140 with the center section lowered so that the Brad-ford frame 88 is in substantial horizontal alignment with the upper surface of the bed 140. The patient on the bed 140 may then be moved onto the Bradford frame 88 and the mobile body lift may be utilized to transport the patient to a different locality or to another bed.

However, if it is desirable to move the patient with a minimum amount of movement to the patients body, the carrying or pick up frame 96 will be secured between the depending supports 48 in the manner heretofore set forth. In this instance, the flexible panels 110 are removed from the support rods 109 and each flexible panel 11% is passed beneath the patient on the bed 140. After each of the panels 110 has been positioned beneath the patient, the support rods 169 may be passed through the open-ended seams 112 formed in the opposite ends of the panels 110 and the rods 109 may then be engaged with the hooks lit 4. The fasteners 108 may then be manipulated to obtain the desired amount of tension of each of the flexible panels 119 and the extensible motors 128 may then be extended to raise the upper center sections 16 which will effect upward movement of the carrying or pick up frame 96 to raise the patient from the bed 140 in the most gentle manner possible. The body lift 118 may then be moved on its caster assemblies 32 to the desired location wherein the above mentioned steps in connection with the pick up frame 96 may be substantially reversed in order to place a patient again upon a supporting surface other than the mobile body lift 10.

If it is desired to perform a flip-over to turn the patient from his back to his stomach as could be the case with a patient having severe burns on both his [front and back thereby necessitating that he be turned frequently, a pair of the carrying or pick up frames 96 or a carrying or pick up frame 96 and a carrying frame 88 may be positioned and secured to the mobile body lift as illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. The patient, if two of the carrying or pick up frames 96 are used, may then be raised from the bed 140 in the manner heretofore set forth and additional flexible panels 146 may be encircled about both the patient and the carrying or pick up frame 96 on which the patient is supported. The two carrying frames 96 may then be positioned as closely together as it is possible by means of the threaded fasteners 7 9 and the mounting plates 64- may then be rotated after the stop pins 78 have been disengaged therewith whereupon the patient will be flipped and he will be supported by the other carrying or pick up frame 96. Then of course, a patient may be removed from the pick up frame 96 in the same manner hereinbefore set forth after the encircling flexible panels 146 have been removed from around the patient and the carrying or pick up frame 96 on which he was first supported.

It is to be noted that the entire center section 16 including the depending supports 48 is raised and lowered upon operation of the extensible motors 28. Thus, the wheeled truck support assembly can be utilized to provide additional support in elevating a given portion of a patients body and that portion of the patients body can be maintained in an elevated position as the patient is being transferred from one place to the other. Further, as is frequently the case, a patient waiting for treatment or to have X-rays taken can receive a small amount of enjoyment from the reading attachment 120 while waiting for his turn to come up for treatment or for X-ray.

The support sleeves 34 slidably disposed on the support rails 18 may be utilized for the support of various 6 instruments and/or attachments such as traction attachments. Additionally, the supporting hook 36 may be used for supporting bottles of glucose, plasma and whole blood, etc., if the patient being transported by the mobile body lift is being transfused or fed intravenously.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A mobile body lift adapted for use with one or more patient-supporting, handling, transporting and carrying frames, each frame including an openwork rectangular framework having at least one flexible panel secured therein, said body lift comprising: an inverted U-sha-ped support frame including a pair of vertically disposed end sections and a horizontal center section bridging and interconnecting upper portions of said end sections, said support frame being of a length that it is adapted to span and partially encompass the patientaccommodating bed, said center section including spaced, longitudinally aligned depending supports, means on the lower portions of said supports adapted to support the opposite ends of the above-mentioned patient-supporting frame, the latter being disposed lengthwise between said supports, said supports being spaced inwardly from said end sections a distance suflicient to enable the headboard and footboard of a bed to be received between adjacent depending supports and end sections, and lowering means for the end portions of said center section including means for raising and lowering each end of said center section independently of the other end, said support means including means for supporting a second patientsupporting and handling frame, said frames in parallel spaced relation and for adjustably positioning said carrying frames toward and away from each other and for rotatably mounting said carrying frames about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally of said patient-supporting and handling frames and between said vertical end sections, said center section including at least one longitudinally extending support rail, and a wheeled truck mounted on said support rail for movement therealong.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, and in combination, a lifting frame, said lifting frame comprising a substantially elongated rectangular framework, the opposite ends of said framework each having means thereon for sliding guided engagement with said support means, each framework having inwardly projecting hooks secured thereto, at least one longitudinally extending support rod removably secured in the hooks carried by each framework side, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending flexible support panels having openended hems formed in the opposite end portion, said hems slidably receiving the adjacent portions of corresponding support rods.

3. The combination of claim 2, and means for adjusting the spacing between the hooks secured to opposite sides of said framework.

4. The combination of claim 1, and wherein each of said end sections includes a pair of transversely spaced upstanding hollow support legs, said center section including a pair of transversely spaced depending guide legs secured to opposite ends thereof, the lower ends of said guide legs being slidably disposed in corresponding support legs, said raising and lowering means including upstanding extensible motors secured between said end sections and corresponding ends of said center section.

5. The combination of claim 1 including a reading attachment adjustably secured to one of said depending supports for adjustable positioning thereabout and verti- 7 cal position therealong, said reading attachment including a substantially horizontally disposed transparent panel adapted to support printed material in face downward position above the head of a patient supported by said body lift or a bed over which said body lift is 5 positioned.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 633,051 Spicer et a1 Sept. 12, 1899 10 8 Allaire et a1. Apr. 2, 1935 Rafi'o July 23, 1935 Corr Aug. 2, 1938 Shaw June 20, 1950 Cullen Mar. 27, 1951 Hogan Sept. 28, 1954 Forrest Mar. 21, 1961 De Bella July 4, 196 1 

